Hundreds of participants will swim across Yellow River, China's second longest river as the second edition of Qinghai International Yellow River Crossing Challenge started Saturday.

 

There are 31 domestic teams and 11 international teams consisting of 300 swimmers from China, America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, France, Malaysia and Indonesia.

 

The route covers some 600 to 800 meters. The first 6 finishers each in the men's and women's events will be awarded with prize money ranging from 500 to 5,000 yuan (about US$62.5 to 625) and those who can make it to the destination will get certificates for their achievements.

 

 

Characterized by high altitude and thin air as well as cold and rapid current, the challenge is the only open water swimming race in the Yellow River, said the organizers.

 

They will adopt the open water swimming rules newly set by the sport's world governing body -- the International Swimming Federation. And all the swimmers should be healthy and older than 18 but under 60 years, the organizers noted.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2006)